Regional

7:18 pm

Sun October 16, 2011

Next Import From Mexico? Water

Mexico – Mexico ships televisions, cars, sugar and medical equipment to the United States. Soon, it may be sending water north.

Western U.S. states are planning two of North America's largest desalination plants in Playas de Rosarito, about 15 miles south of San Diego. They would produce 150 million gallons a day combined enough to supply more than 300,000 homes on both sides of the border.

It is one of the latest strategies by both countries to wean themselves from the drought-prone Colorado River.

Plans for the desalination plants have sparked concerns that American water interests are simply looking to Mexico to avoid lengthy U.S. environmental reviews and legal challenges. Backers say they say they expect the new plants will adhere to U.S. environmental standards, including water quality.